Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration is dismantling the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Colorado, citing "climate alarmism" and a "woke direction" as reasons for the move.
- The research lab, which houses the largest federal research program on climate change, supports research to predict, prepare for, and respond to severe weather and other natural disasters.
- Climate scientists and lawmakers have criticized the move, saying it will have devastating consequences for families and communities across the nation.
- The lab’s budget has more than doubled since the 1980s, driven by increased federal focus on climate change research.
- The dismantling of NCAR is part of a larger trend of the Trump administration targeting climate-related research and institutions.
Introduction to the National Center for Atmospheric Research
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Colorado is facing dismantling under the Trump administration, with White House budget director Russ Vought citing the lab as "one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country." The research lab, which houses the largest federal research program on climate change, supports research to predict, prepare for, and respond to severe weather and other natural disasters. The lab is managed by a nonprofit consortium of more than 130 colleges and universities on behalf of the National Science Foundation. Despite its importance, the Trump administration has launched a comprehensive review of the lab, with plans to dissolve it and move vital activities such as weather research to another entity or location.
The Importance of NCAR
For climate scientists, NCAR is a vital institution that supports research and development in the field of atmospheric science. Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist and Distinguished Professor at Texas Tech University, described the lab as "quite literally our global mothership." The lab supports scientists who fly into hurricanes, develop new radar technology, and envision and code new weather models. Hayhoe warned that dismantling NCAR would be like "taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet." The lab’s work goes beyond climate science, with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis noting that NCAR delivers data around severe weather events like fires and floods that help save lives and property.
The Trump Administration’s Motivations
The Trump administration’s motivations for dismantling NCAR are unclear, but White House officials have cited the lab’s "woke direction" and alleged wasteful spending on "frivolous pursuits and ideologies." A senior White House official cited two instances of the lab’s research as examples of this, including a project that aimed to "make the sciences more welcoming, inclusive, and justice-centered" and an experiment that traced air pollution to "demonize motor vehicles, oil and gas operations." The official spoke on condition of anonymity, but the comments reflect the administration’s broader skepticism of climate change research and its perceived politicization.
Reactions to the Dismantling of NCAR
The dismantling of NCAR has been met with widespread criticism from climate scientists, lawmakers, and other stakeholders. Colorado’s Democratic senators, John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, along with Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse, argued that the center’s work has led to early warnings for natural disasters and has deepened understanding of the Earth’s systems. They called the administration’s move "reckless" and warned that it would have devastating consequences for families and communities across the nation. Antonio Busalacchi, president of the nonprofit consortium that manages NCAR, said that dismantling the research lab "would set back our nation’s ability to predict, prepare for, and respond to severe weather and other natural disasters."
Broader Implications
The dismantling of NCAR is part of a larger trend of the Trump administration targeting climate-related research and institutions. The administration recently targeted another Colorado lab, the former National Renewable Energy Lab, to remove its focus on wind and solar power. The Energy Department site was renamed "National Laboratory of the Rockies" earlier this month. Assistant Energy Secretary Audrey Robertson said that the Trump administration is "no longer picking and choosing energy sources." The move has been seen as a broader attack on climate change research and the scientific community’s efforts to understand and mitigate its effects. As the administration continues to roll back climate-related policies and institutions, the consequences for families and communities across the nation remain to be seen.
